Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a retired Texas District Court Judge who has been writing for 30 years which has often made me feel like 2 people. The two “careers” use different parts of the brain. I always wanted to write but needed to make a living so I chose the justice system, following in the footsteps of my father. I have 7 novels and 2 nonfiction books. (living that other life took a lot of time or I’d have written more.) There’s some theme or plot in every book that deals with various aspects of the legal system. The two nonfiction are a divorce book and a book about murdered judges which I researched for 6 years while I was still on the bench and wrote after I became “semi” retired. My novels are mystery/suspense/women’s or literary fiction, you might say as there isn’t always a category they fit.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Texas Style Justice is my newest book which was inspired by what I observed politically and in the courtroom during my 12+ years on the district court bench in Texas.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It’s maybe not a habit, but I have arthritis in my neck so I have my 15″ Macbook Pro hooked up to a 32″ TV for a monitor. It enables me to sit up straighter and not bow my head over a laptop. I’m fixing to buy a new 13″ as soon as I can get to the Apple store which is over 30 minutes down the road toward Houston.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was an adolescent, I used to read Mike Shayne mysteries. I also liked true crime. I’ve been a fan of Dashell Hammett and his ilk, Mary Higgins Clark, (not that they’re of the same age…) Rosamunde Pilcher. Patricia Highsmith. Ed McBain. Oh, heck, my problem, I’ve been told, is that I like just about everything.
I like humorous characters and somewhat happy endings. I didn’t like the Ripley books by Patricia Highsmith because I wanted him to be caught.
What are you working on now?
I have 3 novels in progress: Murder and Madness which is the 3rd in the Mavis Davis Mystery series (PI mysteries). Death of a Rancher’s Daughter which is the sequel to Death of a Prince (lawyer mysteries). And Ritual (suspense) about police officers who are searching for missing little girls in Galveston.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m establishing a mailing list through promotions with Instafreebie & Bookfunnel. Mailchimp is my email server.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be discouraged. “All first drafts are shit.” I think Hemingway said that–or something very similar.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Apply the seat of your pants to the seat of the chair and write.
You have to actually finish something before it can be published.
What are you reading now?
The Personal History of Rachel Dupree
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish my WIPs!
Learn how to reach more readers.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This is a joke, right?
I would have to mull this over for about a decade. Who has that kind of time???
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